Mom Visit - Sept 2012

Shawna and Her Mom

Shawna's mom came to visit for the first time since we moved back to Denver.  She stayed with us for 10 days.

Accommodation:
Chez Dodds - Can't beat the rates!

Hyatt Place - We stayed one night in Colorado Springs.

Activities:
Shawna picked up her Mom at the airport on Friday night.  After showing her around the house and getting settled, we ate dinner at home - Shawna cooked fish and veggies since we were dieting.

Olympic Training Center

On Saturday, after our work out and lunch, we drove down to Colorado Springs to do a memory tour - Shawna was born here and had vacationed here with her family a few times.  We toured the Olympic Training Center and then went to the Garden of the Gods where we drove around and walked for a mile.  That evening we treated ourselves to dinner at the Broadmoor.

Garden of the Gods

On Sunday, we went to Fort Carson to see where Shawna was born - the old hospital is no longer there as a new one was built so we took a picture in front of the new hospital and drove around the base for a few minutes.  We then went to Seven Falls and the Manitou Cliff Dwellings.  Before we headed back home, we grabbed a yummy lunch in Manitou Springs (which is a very cute town).  When we returned home, we worked out, had dinner, and watched a movie (Best Exotic Marigold Hotel).

Ft Carson

Shawna took Monday off to spend time with her mom.  We went to Home Depot to buy pumpkins and mums for the front porch and then we went to the Denver Botanic Garden where we walked around for about 2 hours.  Later that evening, we saw Jason Mraz in concert at Red Rocks which Shawna's mom really enjoyed!

Rockin' Red Rocks

Shawna had to work Tuesday to Thursday while Keith was out of town for work.  After work, Shawna spent time with her mom, cooking each night and watching movies.  Unfortunately, Shawna's mother's blood pressure increased significantly on Thursday so Shawna had to rush her to the hospital.  Thankfully, she was OK and the doctor told her to double up on her beta blockers while she was visiting due to the altitude.

Seven Falls

Shawna took Friday off as well where she and her mother spent the day shopping at the Cherry Creek Mall.  Shawna scored some clothes at Talbots and an awesome red coat at Macy's.  Later that evening, we all went out to dinner in the neighborhood.

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

On Saturday, we toured the Molly Brown House and tried out two festivals downtown: the Fall Harvest Festival (which was not much to write home about) and October Fest (which was more of a beer fest than anything).  We went out to dinner again that evening.

Denver Botanic Garden

Sunday was Shawna's mom's last full day.  The two of them went shopping at the outlets in Castle Rock while Keith had to work for most of the day.  Another unfortunate incident occurred - someone rear ended us as we were leaving the mall (Shawna was driving the Audi).  Thankfully, no one was injured and the damage was minor.  That evening, we cooked dinner at home and watched a movie.

On Monday morning, Shawna dropped off her mom at the airport and then drove into work.

Restaurants:

Broadmoor Hotel

Charles Court at Broadmoor Hotel - Great location along the lake at the Broadmoor Hotel.  We shared appetizers of caprese salad and bacon and egg and a halibut dish for our entree.

Adam's Mountain Cafe - Cute cafe in Manitou Springs. We shared lentil soup and a falafel sandwich for lunch.

Wash Park Grill - A neighborhood favorite.  We shared the mussels and beef tenderloin.

Table 6 - An awesome restaurant not too far from the house.  Very cute decor and great food.  We shared bruschetta with white bean dip and duck confit.